Responses from my two Montana Senators.

Responses from my two senators here in Montana. I specifically crafted my letters to them so that the issue of universal background checks was prominent. I suppose these responses are about what I expected from an initial contact, but found Testers response a bit lacking, as I actually expected that he would be the most engaged. Baucus seems to have put more thought into the responses leaving his office, and love him or hate him he is very powerful. Baucus, I believe has an A+ rating from the NRA, while Tester is graded A- if memory serves.

I have met both of these guys and like them both on a personal level. Both come from an agricultural background. These are two of the Dem. Senators that Reid does not want to put at risk voting for anti 2A legislation. I can't imagine either would survive another election, possibly even at the primary level should they support anything with a remote whiff of anti gun attached to it. Montana is a very pro gun place.

Take it for what its worth, but as this progresses I will be back in touch with both of them. Have also written my rep. but have no response yet.

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Dear XXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting me about gun violence, gun control proposals, and background checks.

Mass shootings are tragically becoming too common and as a U.S. Senator, it is my responsibility to address the growing issue of violence in America's schools and public places. In the coming weeks, I hope that our country will consider how we can help keep people - especially innocent children - safe while protecting our constitutional rights.

Moving forward, we must find careful, balanced solutions that do both. However, I do not believe that banning assault weapons would result in less violence. I have a long history of protecting the Second Amendment, and I will keep that value in mind as we consider these important issues.

With input from Montanans, I look forward to rising to this important challenge. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Jon Tester
United States Senator

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Dear XXXXXXX:

Thank you for expressing your views with me regarding gun control. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

Like every other parent in America, my heart is broken by the tragic shooting in Connecticut. Mel and I continue to pray for the victims and their families. This and other recent tragedies have raised serious questions about the culture of violence in our society - questions that deserve careful reflection on everything from access to mental health care to the video games our children play.

Many folks have been contacting me with their concerns about various pieces of legislation that would hamper an individual's right to keep and bear arms. I support the constitutional rights of responsible, law-abiding gun owners, and enforcing the laws on the books to protect people from violence. As I reflect, I am listening carefully to my bosses in Montana, and it is clear that any national discussion on gun control must also take into account the values Montanans expect me to protect.

In the past, I have supported commonsense efforts to curb violence when those efforts have not infringed upon the rights of the American people to keep and bear arms. Some of the proposals that I've supported include putting more police on the streets through the "COPS" program, and increasing funding for after-school programs and youth counseling. We must be careful that efforts to prevent crime do not infringe upon the constitutional rights of sportsmen and women, and other law-abiding gun owners to purchase and use firearms.

Thanks again for getting in touch. I also encourage you to visit my website at http://www.baucus.senate.gov for current information on what I'm doing both here in Washington and at home to help Montana. Please contact me with any additional comments or concerns.

Sincerely,
Signature

MB/jh

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Queen_of_Thunder

February 14, 2013, 01:27 PM

They're running scared and it looks like they will support the Presidents program.

CB900F

February 14, 2013, 01:28 PM

Clatrans;

I got the same letter from Tester, didn't bother to contact Baucus as I regard him as a lost cause. You do realize that Dear Max was a prime mover & shaker in getting the original 1994 AWB passed don't you? However, like you, I was disappointed in Jon's canned response letter & do wonder what's up there. I'm investigating that at this time.

Steve Daines is firmly in our camp and I have no reservations regarding him.

900F

c.latrans

February 14, 2013, 02:29 PM

Hey CB....yeah, I am up to speed on Max's past. You know what I do about Montana, that it is one great big small town with a really long main street. Eventually, everybody knows everybody. Don't intend to make it easy on him, though.

Not sure what to make of Tester's mindset yet. I get the sense from talking to others, as well as his response to you and I that he would rather talk about just about anything else in the world right now. I stressed in my letters to them all that those of us in the game understand that universal background checks are tantamount to registration, and that is the battle I intend to fight.

Agreed, Daines is solid, wish he occupied one of the senate seats, but he is useful where he is. As the old proverb says...."May you live in interesting times"....so we do.

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